DE112012004314B4 - Dispenser with capacitive proximity sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser assembly comprising:a cover (14) adapted to receive a supply of mesh material, the cover (14) having an opening (13) through which mesh material is dispensed;a capacitive sensor comprising an antenna (76) arranged to to detect the movement of an object in the measuring area, and which has a measuring area (83) in the vicinity of the opening (13), the antenna (76) being carried directly by the cover (14) and being arranged outside the cover (14). ;a transport device (29) capable of moving mesh material forward when the capacitive sensor detects the movement of an object in the measuring area (83); anda circuit board (72) operatively connected to the antenna (76) and configured to cause operation of the transport device (29) when the capacitive sensor detects movement of an object within the measurement range (83), and wherein the circuit board (72) is in a position that is offset from the capacitive sensor.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

This application is a Non-Provisional Patent Application and claims priority over the Provisional Patent Application US 61/547 531 filed on October 14, 2011 and titled “Roll dispenser with capacitive proximity sensor”.

Background of the invention

This invention relates generally to dispensers for dispensing material. More particularly, the invention relates to a hands-free or non-contact roll dispenser for dispensing paper towels.

Dispensers for rolls of flexible sheet material, such as paper towels, have been used for many years. Such dispensers are widely used in public restrooms to dispense paper towels to users to dry their hands. Typically, a roll of web-shaped material is rotatably mounted inside a dispenser housing. In hand-operated devices, the user manually operates a lever which drives a transport device configured to dispense the sheet material outside the confines of the housing. The transport device typically includes a drive roller and a spacer roller. The lever interacts with the drive roller so that operating the lever rotates the drive roller. The rotation of the drive roller causes material to unwind from the material roll. Such a dispenser is in the patent specification US 7,168,653 B2 described, the disclosure of which is contained herein.

The patent US 7,168,653 B2 describes a mesh material dispenser having a front mounted crank or handle which, when pushed/pulled downward, causes the web material to advance from the roll and thereby be dispensed from the dispenser. The publication of the patent application US 2012/0 181 371 A1 the disclosure of which is also included herein describes another roll dispenser that has a hand crank or handle attached to the side relative to the dispenser but, when pushed/pulled downward, also causes sheet material to be dispensed from the roll. Such dispensers require direct interaction with the hand of the user or those nearby such as a parent to effect actuation of the conveyor and transport device associated with dispensing the sheet material from the dispenser.

The dispensers described in the patents referenced above, as well as other hand-activated dispensers, have a lever applied to or extending from surfaces adjacent to the front of the corresponding dispenser. The lever couples to the transport device, such as a drive shaft, such that actuation of the lever, whether pushed or pulled in an upward, downward, or forward direction, moves the drive shaft, which in turn moves the roll of sheet material forward. Dispensers of this type are commonly referred to as manual dispensers and require a user to place a hand or a portion thereof on the lever to advance sheet material from the roll.

Users are increasingly reluctant to bring their hands into contact with such dispensers in an effort to prevent contact with possible infectious diseases associated with previous users of the corresponding dispensers. As a result, many users find such hand lever operated towel dispensers unacceptable and, frustratingly, some potential users have a tendency to leave the washrooms without drying their hands. Other users, still trying to prevent possible infection but unwilling to leave the washroom with wet hands, try to grasp the dispenser lever with parts of the body other than the palm and fingers, such as for example, with their arms, elbows or the dorsal side of the hand. While some users have been able to effect operation of the dispenser through such strenuous efforts, for many users and dispensers it is difficult, if not impossible, to operate the manual feed mechanism with anything other than the palm and fingers of one hand of the user to effect.

One solution to overcome the unwanted contact with such manually operated roll material dispensing systems was the use of so-called “non-contact” dispensers. Such dispensers typically employ one or more proximity sensors that detect the presence of a user's hand relative to the dispenser and include a motorized transport device that advances or dispenses the sheet material. The disclosure document DE 10 2007 060 130 A1 concerns a liquid dispenser. However, contactless dispensers are not without their associated disadvantages. The electronic detection and motorized transport device can be expensive to purchase and use and may include sensitive sensors designed to detect unforeseen actions control and/or operation of the dispensing system. The disclosure document WO 2010/121276 A1 concerns a sanitary dispenser with a capacitive sensor. Such currently available electronic non-contact or "hands-free" dispensers do not provide the desired operability and/or are not an economically viable solution in some situations and/or desired applications of such devices.

Accordingly, there is a need for less expensive dispensers that allow the user to remove material from the dispenser in a manner that does not require direct physical interaction between the user and any part of the dispenser.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a low cost, non-contact dispensing assembly that overcomes one or more of the disadvantages discussed above. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mesh material dispensing assembly including a cover configured to support a roll of mesh material and a transport device configured to dispense sheet material from the assembly. A capacitive sensor is connected to the transport device and set up to enable contact-free operation of the dispenser. The operation of the sensor is adjustable so that the arrangement can achieve the desired operation in environments with various capacitive background noise.

Another aspect of the invention useful with one or more of the above aspects discloses a dispenser assembly having a cover adapted to hold a supply of mesh material. The cover includes an opening through which the mesh material can be dispensed. A capacitive sensor having a measuring range is effective to detect the presence of an object in the measuring range, and a drive mechanism moves the mesh material forward when the sensor detects movement of an object in the measuring range.

Another aspect of the invention, usable or combinable with one or more of the aspects disclosed above, includes a mesh material dispenser having a cover and a transport device contained in the cover. The transport device is arranged to cooperate with a roll of sheet material such that actuation of the transport device dispenses the sheet material outside the cover. The dispenser contains a sensor that is effective to detect the presence of an object in the measuring area. An antenna is connected to the sensor but located outside the cover and a control device is connected to the sensor and arranged to process the sensitivity of the sensor as a function of the background interference associated with the antenna.

Another aspect of the invention, useful with one or more features of the above aspects, discloses a method of forming a mesh material dispenser including providing a transport device configured to dispense mesh material from a cover. A control device is connected to the transport device and a capacitive sensor is provided and configured to trigger actuation of the transport device in response to detection of the proximity of a user.

Various other features, aspects and advantages of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and accompanying drawings. The following description, which identifies preferred embodiments of the present invention, constitutes examples, but not limitations, of the invention. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the invention includes all such modifications .

Brief description of the drawings

• 1 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht eines kontaktlosen Dispensers gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 2 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Unterseite des Rollendispensers wie in 1 gezeigt;
• 3A - 3C sind perspektivisch auseinandergezogenen Ansichten des Dispensers wie in 1 gezeigt;
• 4 ist eine Querschnittansicht der Dispensiervorrichtung aufgenommen entlang Linie 4-4 wie in 1 gezeigt;
• 5 ist eine Ansicht der Rückseite des Dispensers wie in 1 gezeigt und zeigt den damit verbunden Sensor, die Antenne und den Kontrollschalter;
• 6 ist eine schematische Ansicht einer beispielhaften Schaltung, die mit dem Betrieb des Dispensers wie in 1 gezeigt in Verbindung steht; und
• 7 zeigt verschiedene Sensorsignaltrends, die mit der Detektion der Gegenwart eines Benutzers des Dispensers wie in 1 gezeigt in Verbindung stehen.

A clear idea of the advantages and features constituting the present invention, and the construction and use of typical mechanisms provided by the present invention, will become more readily apparent by reference to the examples, and thus non-limiting embodiments, illustrated in the following drawings are and form a part of this description, wherein the reference numbering identifies the same elements in the different views, and wherein:

• 1 is a perspective view of a contactless dispenser according to the present invention;
• 2 is a perspective view of a bottom of the roll dispenser as shown in 1 shown;
• 3A - 3C are perspective, exploded views of the dispenser as in 1 shown;
• 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing device taken along line 4-4 as in 1 shown;
• 5 is a view of the back of the dispenser as in 1 shown and shows the associated sensor, antenna and control switch;
• 6 is a schematic view of an exemplary circuit associated with the operation of the dispenser as shown in 1 shown is related; and
• 7 shows various sensor signal trends associated with detecting the presence of a user of the dispenser as in 1 shown are connected.

In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention explained in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to specific selected terms and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in the same manner to achieve a similar purpose. For example, the word connected or similar terms are often used. They are not limited to a direct connection, but include connection through other elements for which such connection is considered by those skilled in the art to be equivalent.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

1 shows a dispenser 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As further below in relation to 3-8 explained, the dispenser 12 includes a material conveying or transport device configured to cause the roll dispenser to dispense a quantity of mesh material for use by the user and to do so in a manner that does not require direct physical interaction between the user and the dispenser 12 - with the exception of removal by the user and/or tearing of the dispensed net material from an opening or entrance 13 of the dispenser 12 and/or the roll of material.

On 1-4 referring, dispenser 12 includes a housing or cover 14 configured to receive a replaceable roll 16 of sheet or mesh material. Cover 14 is defined by a back or rear wall 20, side walls 22, a floor 24 and a front cover 26, which cooperate to define an interior 28 of the cover 14. Cover 14 may be molded from plastic or other suitable materials. The back wall 20, side wall 22 and bottom 24 together form a rear side of the cover 14. Lid 26 movably cooperates with the back side of the cover 14 to selectively expose the interior 28 and the roll 16 of material associated therewith. It will be appreciated that the portion of cover 14 generally rearward of cover 26 may be formed as a single or multiple subassembly by injection, blow molding or rotational molding. Alternatively, the various walls or panels defining the cover 14 may be separately fabricated parts joined by welding, molding, fastening, soldering, or the like.

On 3 and 4 referring, dispenser 12 includes a supply, transport device or transport mechanism 29 which is contained in cover 14. Although shown as an assembly cooperating with cover 14, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments transport device 29 may be provided in the form of a cassette which may be assembled prior to connection to cover 14. Regardless of the specific configuration, the transport device 29 includes a drive shaft 30 and a spacer roller 32. The drive shaft 30 and the spacer shaft 32 form a pressure nip 34 through which the material is drawn before it is discharged outside the boundary or surrounding edge of the cover 14. The drive shaft 30 and the spacer shaft 32 extend transversely with respect to and are supported by the side walls 22 of the cover 14 for rotation about the respective parallel axes 36, 38. It will be recognized that these axes are also generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller 16 stand.

In one embodiment, pins are inserted into the mutual ends of the drive shaft in a suitable manner so that axle 36 is fixed. As in 3A As shown, such use of pins may be provided through the use of a notch nail 42 and one or more bearing blocks 44. The mutual ends of the spacer shaft 32 are attached so that axis 38 can be moved toward or away from axis 36 of the drive shaft 30. The ends of the spacer shaft 32 are preferably sprung to urge the spacer shaft 32 toward the drive shaft 30. As in 3A shown, this may include a pressure block or spring holder 46 and a bearing spring block 48 which can be inserted into each of the bearing blocks 44. Alternatively, the spacer shaft 32 can be fixed and the drive shaft 30 can be applied so that the axis 36 of the drive shaft 30 is opposite the axis 38 of the spacer shaft 32 is preferred. Regardless of whether one or the other shaft is movable, the drive shaft 30 is positioned either above or below the spacer shaft 32.

The ability of one of the shafts to move allows the pressure gap to adapt to a variety of material thicknesses. This capability allows the dispenser 12 to be easily used with cored and/or coreless roll material. Coreless rolls usually have a center of tightly wound material, commonly referred to as a “cigarette.” The cigarette will not unfold like the outer parts of the roll do. A section of material becomes visible when the coreless roll has almost completely been dispensed from the dispenser 12. A user can see this section and can yank it in hopes of pulling material from the dispenser. This causes the cigarette to bring the drive shaft and the spacer shaft into contact. The shafts of traditional dispensers do not have the existing travel to adjust the passage of the cigarette. This way the cigarette can be stored between the waves. The present invention provides sufficient spring travel between the drive shaft 30 and the spacer shaft 32 so that the cigarette can be easily passed through the pressure gap 34 by operating the transport device 29.

The present invention may be constructed to provide the use of a transport device 29 in the form of a cassette which can be assembled without the use of any tools, or may be formed from a number of individual parts configured to be assembled individually or as sub-assemblies with the internal structure of the cover 14 to cooperate. In one embodiment, as in 3A-3C shown, the opposite ends of the drive shaft 30 and the spacer shaft 32 are fitted into corresponding bearing blocks 44. As described above, a notch nail 42 is used to secure the drive shaft 30 in one of the bearing blocks 44. Spring holder 46 and bearing field blocks 48 attach the spacer shaft 32 relative to the bearing blocks 44. The notch nail 42 connects the drive shaft 30 and the bearing block 44. The notch nail 42 extends from the bearing block 44 and connects the optional actuator drive 50. The notch nail 42 also extends from the actuator drive 50 and a freewheel 52 is positioned on the notch nail 42, with the adjusting wheel drive 50 being attached to the notch nail 42 and bearing block 44. A motor 53 connects freewheel 52 and is attached to cover 14 so that operation of motor 53 causes operation of drive shaft 30. As explained below, the motor 53 is connected to a control system 70 of the dispenser 12, which allows selective operation of the motor 53 in response to the detection of a user's hand in proximity to the dispenser. It should be appreciated that the motor 53 may be directly or indirectly connected to the drive shaft 30 and/or integrated into the drive shaft 30 provided that rotatable electrical contacts are provided. Regardless of the interaction, operation of motor 53 causes rotation of drive shaft 30 and/or roller 16 to effect output; but motor 53 does not inhibit manual movement of the drive shaft 30 during operation or refill operations and/or may be used to ensure desired operation of the drive shaft during these activities.

The various components of the transport mechanism can be molded from plastic or other suitable material. As in 3A shown, the support rail 54 preferably interacts with the bearing blocks 44. The hooks 58 are formed at the mutual ends of the support rail 54 and cooperate with the channels 60 formed in the inboard sides of the bearing blocks to connect the components of the transport mechanism cassette. It will be appreciated that motor 53 is connected to the cassette or to the cover 14 in a manner whereby motor 53 optionally cooperates with the cassette when the cassette is connected to the cover.

Once assembled, the transport mechanism can be fitted into the cover 14. Preferably, various components of the transport mechanism are configured to interact with each other or with the structure of a cassette without the use of tools. Traditional dispensers require the use of parts that include the transport mechanism in a tray, which is then inserted into a housing. In one embodiment, the cartridge of the transport mechanism may be snap-fitted into the cover 14, wherein each of the bearing blocks 44 may be disposed in pairs in an insert or other hump or recess formation located within the housing. Such direct mounting of the transport mechanism cassette 29 relative to the cover eliminates the need for an external slot for the transport mechanism. Eliminating an insert reduces the number of parts and the amount of material required to construct dispenser 12, as well as the time required to assemble the corresponding dispenser. Such restrictions streamline the manufacturing process and reduce production costs.

Preferably, transport mechanism 29 is configured to be easily removed from the housing with a screwdriver or other small hand tools, whether the transport mechanism includes motor 53 or motor 53 is independently connected to cover 14. Such a configuration makes it easy and inexpensive to replace the entire transport mechanism and motor, only the driven part of the transport mechanism and/or only the motor associated with the operation of the transport mechanism in this area and offers the possibility of doing this without much effort. Furthermore, such a design minimizes the parts and overall portions of the dispenser 12 that would need to be replaced should the dispenser require repair or service or otherwise become inoperable due to failure of a particular part, thereby reducing maintenance and/or service costs become.

As mentioned above, the transport mechanism is operatively connected to the motor 53 and the operation of the motor 53 is triggered by a control switch or control system 70 which includes a circuit board 72 and a capacitive sensor connected to the control system 70 of the antenna 76. Dispenser 12 may include a power source 78, such as one or more batteries, or may be configured to be connected to permanent wiring associated with a structure. Preferably, the dispenser 12 is set up to operate with electrical energy or an independent or self-contained energy source. On 4 and 5 By reference, one embodiment of the invention includes in the rear wall 20 of the dispenser 12 a recess 80 which extends laterally across the cover 14, generally behind the opening 13 associated with the dispensing of material from the cover. Antenna 76 is arranged in recess 80 and is preferably connected to a rear side of rear wall 20 of cover 14. Preferably, antenna 76 is open to the environment and offset or spaced from wall 82 or other surface intended to support dispenser 12. Preferably, antenna 76 is positioned at a distance from wall 82, at a distance that antenna 76 is positioned between opening 13 and wall 82, but at a location much closer to opening 13. As explained below, positioning the antenna 76 in such a manner improves the repeatability of the operation of dispenser 12 and positions the antenna 76 very close to the user's hand when the user strives to trigger the operation of the transport mechanism 29 and so that the dispensed material is directed directly into the user's hand.

With reference to 4-6 Antenna 76 can take many forms. For example, antenna 76 may be a cable or a group of cables. Alternatively, antenna 76 may comprise conductive paste or metal foil. Preferably, antenna 76 is provided as a stamped aluminum strip having a thickness of approximately 0.017 inches for manufacturing and product consistency between platforms. Regardless of shape, it is preferred that antenna 76 extend substantially along the majority of the lateral or horizontal length of cover 14 and generally parallel to the long axis of opening 13 of dispenser 12. Antenna 76 is operable to detect capacitive changes that occur in the measurement range when an object, such as a user's hand, is moved into the measurement range. When such a capacitive change occurs, circuit board 72 judges the capacitive change associated with the signal from antenna 76 and controls the operation of drive shaft 30 or other transport mechanism of dispenser 12 to advance the roll material as the user's hand moves in relative direction Close to dispenser 12, but without touching the dispenser directly.

It can therefore be seen that in one embodiment of the invention, the capacitive sensor detects the hand(s) of a user in a predefined measuring range below and/or in front of the dispenser. The capacitive sensor provides feedback to control the circuit board or control device 72, such as a circuit board, motor controller or microprocessor, to turn on the motor driven drive shaft 30 to advance mesh material from the roll 16 lying within cover 14. Control system 70 may include a selector 74 to influence the sensitivity of the antenna 76. Selection device 74 can provide unlimited adjustment options for the sensitivity of the antenna 76. Preferably, automatic sensitivity adjustability is built into the control system 70 to automatically affect the sensitivity of the operation of antenna 76 as a function of the capacity of background interference, such as the wall 82, the operation of the motor 53, and other interference, either related with the environment or with the use of the device and / or disturbances that are associated with the periodic dispensing operation of the dispenser 12. Because a wall 82 formed of concrete and/or steel will have a higher capacitive degradation than a cavity wall typically formed of wood and wallboard, sensitivity adjustments of the dispenser 12 allow effective operation in a variety of given environments.

The cooperation of the control system 70 and the capacitive measurement of the antenna 76 allows the dispenser 12 to dispense mesh material from the roll 16 contained in cover 14 in a manner that does not require direct contact by the user and in a manner and Way that eliminates the need for a number of commonly used expensive electronic components associated with other such non-contact dispensers. Control system 70 eliminates the need for operational amplifiers, low pass filters, auto-compensation capacitors, detection means or circuitry coupled to an operational amplifier, diode-based voltage swing detector, increment and offset voltage amplifier, accounting for a variable time constant which is approximately twice a fixed time constant when detecting the presence of a user, oscillator, and other typically more expensive components normally used to provide the operational functionality of other non-contact dispensing systems.

The dispenser 12 is not required to detect a maximum voltage, generate a low frequency signal component in response to low frequency changes in the antenna signal, require signal amplification, or influence the input current signal to the antenna sensor based on a function of the sensor signal length. Rather, antenna 76 detects the representation of an object, such as a user's hand, in the detection, proximity or measurement area 83, which is generally adjacent to the exit side of the opening or opening 13 of the dispenser 12. In one embodiment of the invention, opening 13 is arranged so that dispensed roll material can be grasped by the user from a position below the dispenser. Preferably, antenna 76 is located along opening 13 so that detection zone 83 is located generally adjacent an area where a user would expect or anticipate material discharge from dispenser 12. For such a dispenser, the detection zone 83 would generally include a limited area below or in front of the dispenser, although it would be appreciated that dispenser 12 can be configured to enable operation with other detection zones. Preferably, the detection zone 83, and hence antenna 76, is located at a location offset from a support structure, such as a wall associated with dispenser 12, and near or adjacent to the opening from which the user would expect material to be dispensed. Such a configuration allows antenna 76 to be in close proximity to a surface that is associated with a user's hand movement in an attempt to trigger the output function.

With reference to the 6-7 , shows 6 an exemplary circuit connected to a circuit board 72 of the control system 70. The control system 70 is preferably designed as a microcontroller system configured to generate rectangular signals with an interval of approximately 20 ms and a duration of approximately 0.5 ms and which are applied to two integrating chains. The first integrating chain provides a fixed delay and includes the part of the circuit connected to the upper part of the potentiometer RP1, the resistor R1 and the capacitor C2. The second integrating chain provides an alternative delay comprising the lower part of the potentiometer RP1, the resistor R2 and the capacitance of the sensitive electrode, ie the antenna 76. The output signals of the integrating chains are applied to the inputs of Schmitt switches U1, which converts the slope of the input signal from an exponential form to a well-defined rectangular waveform.

A time constant of the first chain is set to a value slightly lower than the value of the second chain associated with the absence of the user's hand in the measurement area 83. A signal adjuster, such as a potentiometer RP1, is provided to adjust the required balance between the signals of the first chain and the second chain when the user is present and absent in the measurement area 83. In a preferred embodiment, RP1 is designed as a switch that only provides two discrete output values instead of an arbitrarily adjustable output value. Still with reference to the 6 and 7 an output signal of a first Schmitt switch provides a time signal for a D-type toggle switch and an output signal of a second Schmitt switch provides a data signal. The respective in Signals 1-5 shown correspond to those in 6 The discrete circuit locations 1-5 shown in connection and the signal measurement determined at locations 1-5 is an indication that a user is present in the measurement area 83, which indicates an output activity, or that no user is present in the measurement area 83.

With reference to the 6 and 7 It should be appreciated that the variable time constant when a hand is detected is simply greater than or equal to a fixed time constant, so that the detection comparison is qualitative rather than quantitative as provided by more complicated detection methods. As in 7 shown, while the delay of the second integrating chain is shorter than the predetermined constant delay of the first integrating chain, the increasing slope of the time signal comes after the data signal associated with the first, in 7 shown trend is connected. Such an action allows the toggle switch to set the logic to a value of 1.0. If a hand is inserted into the measurement area 83 so that it interferes with the capacitance of the antenna 76, the capacitance of the antenna 76 increases and the delay associated with the second integrating chain becomes greater than the fixed value. The increasing slope of the time signal appears earlier than the slope of the data signal, allowing the toggle switch to switch the logic signal to zero. The control system 70 detects the deviation or low level as a command or to begin output or to trigger operation of a motor 53 for a selected duration. Alternatively, the control system 70 may be configured to simply suspend operation of the motor 53 upon recovery of the toggle switch logic to a value indicative of the absence of a user's hand in the measurement area 83. Preferably, the support rail 54 is configured to trigger the dispensing interrupt or end-of-cycle instruction. The dispenser 12 may include one or more connections coupled to the control system 70 or electronic sensors coupled to the control system configured to provide the final signal. Regardless of the method and modality of the final output signal, each of the above sequences provides the output of only a desired amount of the network material.

It should be further recognized that the background interference discussed above may alter and/or interfere with the desired operation of the antenna 76 and/or the dispenser 12. If the background interference is too high, the selector switch 74 may be changed to reduce the sensitivity associated with the operation of the antenna 76. Reducing the sensitivity of the operation of the antenna 76 to a more tolerable value reduces the energy consumption associated with the operation of the antenna. As noted above, instead of a manually adjustable selector switch 74, the control system may be configured to periodically measure the capacitance of the background environment and alter the operation of the antenna 76 in response to the detected background. Such an arrangement preferably includes a variable digital resistor having a value determined by the control system 72. The control system 72 measures the background interference rate via the interaction with the antenna 76 and the resistance and sets the sensitivity of the system as a function of the measured value.

It should be further appreciated that placing the antenna 76 outside of the cover 14 and offset from the wall 82 reduces the undesirable interaction of background capacitance with the desired detection of the user's hands near the antenna 76. It may further be appreciated that the capacitance associated with the operation of the antenna may also be varied to provide multiple alternative antenna locations relative to the cover 14 and relative to the wall 82. Namely, as the antenna is moved further away from wall 82, the capacitive interference to which antenna 76 is exposed as a result of its proximity to wall 82 will be limited. It will be appreciated that such a modification to the antenna 76 could be provided without removing the cover 14 from the wall 82 and that the cover 14 may be formed with several alternative bosses and/or depressions that fit the antenna 76. Each of the above methods would allow the user to uniquely adjust the capacitive sensor so that the dispenser conforms to various external limitations inherent in the application of the device rather than any functional limitation arising from the design or operation of the dispenser , related, can be adjusted. Such a design provides both an economical and highly versatile mesh dispenser.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that the dispenser 12 provides a powered mesh dispenser that is economically constructed and allows hands-free operation of the dispenser 12. It should be further appreciated that the usability of the dispenser 12 may be modified to accommodate differences associated with the environment in which the dispenser is used. The dispenser 12 can be manufactured from inexpensive but durable materials such as plastic by injection, blow or rotation molding and/or other common methods and is designed to allow easy replacement of the rolled material as well as visual verification of the status of the amount of the in Roll material containing the device is allowed. The device is unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing, can dispense low tensile strength materials without tearing, and can dispense cored and coreless material equally well without modification or installation of additional parts.

The dispenser of the present invention may have other applications besides use for paper towel rolls and towel paper. Although the invention has been described and shown herein in what are considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments presented above. Rather, it will be recognized that changes may be made by one skilled in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or purpose of the invention and, therefore, it will be recognized that the invention also encompasses all reasonable equivalents of the subject matter of the appended claims. The present invention is described in connection with the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives and modifications other than those expressly stated are possible and are within the scope of the appended claims. It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a low-cost, hands-free, sensor-equipped dispenser that provides the functionality of conventional hands-free or touch-free dispensers without the higher costs typically associated with them.

Claims (25)

Dispenser arrangement, comprising: a cover (14) adapted to receive a supply of mesh material, the cover (14) having an opening (13) through which mesh material is dispensed; a capacitive sensor comprising an antenna (76) arranged to detect the movement of an object in the measuring range and having a measuring range (83) in the vicinity of the opening (13), the antenna (76) directly from the cover (14) is carried and is arranged outside the cover (14);a transport device (29) which is capable of moving net material forward, when the capacitive sensor detects the movement of an object in the measuring range (83); and a circuit board (72) operatively connected to the antenna (76) and configured to cause operation of the transport device (29) when the capacitive sensor detects movement of an object within the measuring range (83), and wherein the circuit board (72) is in a position that is offset from the capacitive sensor. Dispenser arrangement according to Claim 1 , further comprising a recess (80) open to the space formed in the cover (14) near the opening (13), the recess (80) extending in a horizontal direction. Dispenser arrangement according to Claim 2 , wherein the antenna (76) is arranged in the recess (80) and is connected to the cover (14) in such a way that it is opposite a peripheral edge of the cover (14) and opposite the rear wall (20) of the cover (14). is offset. Dispenser arrangement according to Claim 3 , wherein the antenna (76) extends over most of the length of the recess (80) in the horizontal direction and is made of aluminum and is 0.017 mm thick. Dispenser arrangement according to Claim 1 , further comprising a selection device (74) capable of changing the sensitivity of the capacitive sensor. Dispenser arrangement according to Claim 1 , further comprising a digital resistor configured to measure a background disturbance and to change the function of the capacitive sensor in response to the background disturbance. Dispenser arrangement according to Claim 6 , where the background interference includes a capacitive interference with nearby structures and equipment. Dispenser arrangement according to Claim 6 , where the digital resistor automatically changes the function of the capacitive sensor in response to the background noise. Mesh material dispenser (12) comprising: a cover (14), a transport device (29) contained in the cover (14) and adapted to cooperate with a roll of material (16) such that operation of the transport device (29) dispenses the material from the cover (14); an antenna (76) carried by the cover (14) and disposed outside the cover (14), the antenna (76) being shaped to engage with a recess (80) defined by the cover (14). cooperates so that the antenna (76) is supported by the cooperation of the antenna (76) with the recess (80) defined by the cover (14); and a control system (70) offset from the antenna (76) and carried independently of the cover (14) and operatively connected to the antenna (76) and adapted to control the sensitivity of the signal transmitted to the antenna (76) 76) is connected to change as a function of the background interference with the signal connected to the antenna (76). Mesh material dispenser (12). Claim 9 , wherein the antenna (76) is further designed as an elongated band. Mesh material dispenser (12). Claim 10 , wherein the antenna (76) extends in a horizontal direction and is not isolated from the environment by the cover (14). Mesh material dispenser (12). Claim 11 , wherein the recess (80), which carries the antenna (76), is directed backwards in relation to the operating direction of the dispenser (12), and is arranged opposite an opening (13) defined by the cover (14), from which the material is dispensed directly into the user's hand. Mesh material dispenser (12). Claim 9 , wherein the control system (70) is arranged to control the function of the background interference with the antenna (76) located on at least one material of the wall (82) supporting the dispenser (12) and the operation of devices inside or outside the Cover (14) is based on adapting. Mesh material dispenser (12). Claim 13 , wherein the control system (70) comprises a bidirectional selector that determines the function. Mesh material dispenser (12). Claim 10 , wherein the antenna (76) is formed from stamped aluminum material. Mesh material dispenser (12). Claim 9 , wherein the control system (70) periodically measures the background noise. Mesh material dispenser (12). Claim 9 , wherein the control system (70) includes a flip-flop to determine an output state. Mesh material dispenser (12). Claim 17 , wherein the control system (70) is configured to output material when an output signal of the flip-flop is greater than 1.0. Method for forming a mesh material dispenser (12), the method comprising: Providing a transport device (29) adapted to dispense net material from a cover (14); Connecting a control system (70) to the transport device (29); and Providing a capacitive sensor formed as an elongated antenna (76) operatively connected to the control system (70) and carried by the cover (14) and external to the cover (14) at a location in a cavity (80 ) is located in the cover (14) and remote from the control system (70) so that the control system (70) and the elongated antenna (76) are independently supported by the cover (14) and which is adapted to the To put the transport device (29) into operation in response to the detection of the approach of a user. Procedure according to Claim 19 , further comprising arranging the elongated antenna (76) outside a lid (26) which is connected to the transport device (29). Procedure according to Claim 20 , further comprising locating the elongated antenna (76) proximate an opening (13) in communication with the dispensing of the mesh material from the cover (14). Procedure according to Claim 19 , further comprising providing a selector switch (74) connected to the control system (70) for adjusting a sensitivity associated with operation of the elongate antenna (76). Procedure according to Claim 22 , wherein the selector switch (74) has more than one preset value, each preset value being associated with a different background capacitance. Procedure according to Claim 19 , further comprising providing a diode associated with filtering noise associated with operation of the capacitive sensor. Procedure according to Claim 24 , further comprising a flip-flop, wherein an output signal of the flip-flop that has a value greater than 1.0 leads to an output process.

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